Aust expert says new research shows urgency of marriage equality

“YOUNG LIVES DEPEND ON IT”

A leading Australian expert on the psychological impact of discrimination, Associate Professor Winnifred Louis, has welcomed a new study showing a link between marriage equality and reduced adolescent suicide risk.

The study from John Hopkins University analysed data from over three quarters of a million students collected between 1999 and 2015 across the US.

It found suicide attempts fell 7% among all young people and 14% among young lesbian, gay and bisexual students in US states with marriage equality.

“The new study is consistent with other research from Europe and Australia showing the psychological benefit of allowing same-sex couples to marry”, Assoc Prof Louis said.

“But the large sample and time period in this research makes a compelling case for marriage equality being key to improving youth mental health.”

“The message to law makers is clearly that marriage equality is an urgent reform that should not be delayed any longer.”

“Young Australian lives depend on it.”

Winnifred Louis is an Associate Professor of psychology at the University of Queensland. She was a co-author of the Australian Psychological Society’s submission to a recent Senate marriage equality inquiry, and has studied the psychological impacts of prejudice and discrimination.

The US study also found there is a likely link between increases in LGBTI suicide risk and public votes on marriage equality, like the plebiscite formerly proposed in Australia.

“The negative messages about LGBTI people that are common in the lead up to referenda or plebiscites might seem harmless to most people but they can have a deeply damaging impact on vulnerable young people still coming to terms with their sexual orientation or gender identity”, Assoc Prof Louis said.

For a news report go to: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/20/drop-in-teenage-suicide-attempts-linked-to-legalisation-of-same-sex-marriage
Rodney Croome, just.equal